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ROSEMARY LOW
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MINIMUM CAGE SIZES
Parrot Breeding: Minimum Cage Sizes
by Rosemary Low
by Rosemary Low
As aviculture has progressed over the past few decades many innovations and commercial products have made bird keeping easier. However, from the birds’ point of view, we do not seem to have progressed at all in respect of their quality of life. The worst aspect is that of breeding aviaries and cages whose sizes have undoubtedly shrunk with the passing years. Many species are bred in cages which would not have been deemed suitable several decades ago.
Sadly, the question that too many breeders ask themselves is: “How many cages/aviaries can I cram into the available space?” I have never been able to understand what pleasure there is in keeping birds in accommodation that is too small. They have no opportunity to display normal behaviour or, in many cases, can do no more than hop from perch to perch. It is especially distressing to see the larger parrots kept in this way.
I would like to remind all parrot keepers of the wording of The Animal Welfare Act 2006: “The Act makes owners and keepers of animals responsible for ensuring that the following basic needs of their animals are met … …To be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.”
The ability to fly is the most instinctive and necessary behaviour of parrots and most other birds. Try to imagine what it is like to be birds in a space that does not permit flight -- or more than one flap of the wings between two closely spaced perches. They cannot dispel energy (of which they possibly have an excess due to incorrect diet), they might not even be able to swing and flap their wings as such playful birds as parrots do, and their health will be compromised over the long term. Obesity leading, as in humans, to shortened life span, is a real problem with Galahs and Amazons and other species.
I abhor advertisements for breeding cubes for parrots that measure 1m (3ft) square. I have seen these cages at bird sales events -- and they make me want to take a hammer and smash them up. On many occasions photographs of very small breeding cages (for various species) are published in bird magazines; they seem to condone their use -- or at least promote the idea that they are acceptable.
In some countries, such as Germany, parrot owners are obliged to adhere to minimum cage sizes. This is why you do not see the larger parrots such as macaws in pet stores. When it comes to parrot welfare, the UK is not leading. I would like to see minimum cage sizes enshrined in law. This would be the first step on the road to improving parrot health and welfare. It might also reduce over-breeding of some of the more common species that are sold at very low prices because the market is flooded.
In order to provide some quality of life I would propose the following minimum as sizes.
Sadly, the question that too many breeders ask themselves is: “How many cages/aviaries can I cram into the available space?” I have never been able to understand what pleasure there is in keeping birds in accommodation that is too small. They have no opportunity to display normal behaviour or, in many cases, can do no more than hop from perch to perch. It is especially distressing to see the larger parrots kept in this way.
I would like to remind all parrot keepers of the wording of The Animal Welfare Act 2006: “The Act makes owners and keepers of animals responsible for ensuring that the following basic needs of their animals are met … …To be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.”
The ability to fly is the most instinctive and necessary behaviour of parrots and most other birds. Try to imagine what it is like to be birds in a space that does not permit flight -- or more than one flap of the wings between two closely spaced perches. They cannot dispel energy (of which they possibly have an excess due to incorrect diet), they might not even be able to swing and flap their wings as such playful birds as parrots do, and their health will be compromised over the long term. Obesity leading, as in humans, to shortened life span, is a real problem with Galahs and Amazons and other species.
I abhor advertisements for breeding cubes for parrots that measure 1m (3ft) square. I have seen these cages at bird sales events -- and they make me want to take a hammer and smash them up. On many occasions photographs of very small breeding cages (for various species) are published in bird magazines; they seem to condone their use -- or at least promote the idea that they are acceptable.
In some countries, such as Germany, parrot owners are obliged to adhere to minimum cage sizes. This is why you do not see the larger parrots such as macaws in pet stores. When it comes to parrot welfare, the UK is not leading. I would like to see minimum cage sizes enshrined in law. This would be the first step on the road to improving parrot health and welfare. It might also reduce over-breeding of some of the more common species that are sold at very low prices because the market is flooded.
In order to provide some quality of life I would propose the following minimum as sizes.
Minimum aviary sizes for breeding pairs
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METRES
Alexandrine and Derbyan parakeets Amazon parrots Barrabands and other Polytelis Bluebonnets (Northiella) Caiques Cockatiel Cockatoos, Cacatua species smaller larger (Moluccan, etc) black including Palm Conures, Aratingas, small large Patagonian Pyrrhuras Eclectus Galah Grey-headed parrot Grey parrot Hawk-headed parrot Kakarikis King parakeets Lineolated parakeet Lories, Lorius, Eos Lories, Duivenbode’s, other Chalcopsittas Lorikeets, Rainbow and similar sized Lorikeet, Goldie’s Lovebirds Macaw, Hyacinthine Macaws, Ara small Mountain and Aymara parakeets Parrotlets (Forpus) Pileated parakeet (Purpureicephalus) Pionus parrots Port Lincoln and other Barnardius Quaker parakeet Redrump and other Psephotus Ringneck parakeet Rosellas Senegal and other small Poicephalus Swift parakeet Splendid and other grass parakeets Tovi and other Brotogeris Parakeets Vasa parrots |
LENGTH
5 4.5 5 4 2 2.4 5 7 7 3 4 5 4.5 4.5 6 3 3.5 3 3 6 2 4 4.5 4 2.4 2 8 8 4.5 2 2 5 3 5 4 4 4.5 4 3 4 2 2.4 6 |
WIDTH
1 1.5 1 1 1 1 1.5 1.5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1.5 1 1 1 1 1.5 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.5 |
HEIGHT
2 2 2 2 2 2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2 2 2.1 2 2 2.1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2.1 |
The above is based on my experiences of all these species over the past 50 years. With the exception of Bluebonnets and Pileated Parakeets, all have bred in my care.
These measurements are based on the size of the bird, their behaviour (including the probability of mate aggression in a small space) and flight patterns. It is not always the largest birds that require the greatest aviary length. For example, I recommend a minimum aviary length of 4.5m for Pyrrhura conures. They are small but they are incredibly skilful and fast in flight, swooping and diving with obvious enjoyment.
Kakarikis are also very active birds and would benefit from more length than the 3m length recommended. However, because they are always moving around, they will still obtain a lot of wing exercise in this space.
Many people think that some of the larger parrots, such as Amazons, Greys and Eclectus, are not very active birds. This is because these parrots do not feel inclined to fly in a small area. Give them space -- actually much larger than the minimum sizes I have suggested -- and you will see the difference!
For many parrots a height of 2m suffices. Large parrots that live in the canopy, such as macaws and Indonesian cockatoos, are much more at ease in an aviary 3m or more high, and most of the time they will stay up high -- although they often enjoy walking on the aviary floor.
Another aspect to consider is that small aviaries and cages result in aggressive behaviour between male and female, or male and offspring, that almost never occurs in accommodation of suitable size. When someone tells me that the young must be removed from the breeding cage soon after they fledge because of the male’s aggression I always ask how big the cage is. The answer tells me why the male has not tolerated his young. It is not good for the offspring to be removed from their parents so soon due to inadequate housing.
There will also be aggressive behaviour towards the keeper, mainly because in a cage the food containers are too near the nest-box -- and the area around the nest is vigorously defended. This means that changing the food either causes stress to the birds or results in bites to the keeper.
To the person considering taking up parrot breeding, I would say halve the planned number of cages or aviaries -- and double their length. I even know of established breeders who have done this and freely admit to the benefits for the birds.
These measurements are based on the size of the bird, their behaviour (including the probability of mate aggression in a small space) and flight patterns. It is not always the largest birds that require the greatest aviary length. For example, I recommend a minimum aviary length of 4.5m for Pyrrhura conures. They are small but they are incredibly skilful and fast in flight, swooping and diving with obvious enjoyment.
Kakarikis are also very active birds and would benefit from more length than the 3m length recommended. However, because they are always moving around, they will still obtain a lot of wing exercise in this space.
Many people think that some of the larger parrots, such as Amazons, Greys and Eclectus, are not very active birds. This is because these parrots do not feel inclined to fly in a small area. Give them space -- actually much larger than the minimum sizes I have suggested -- and you will see the difference!
For many parrots a height of 2m suffices. Large parrots that live in the canopy, such as macaws and Indonesian cockatoos, are much more at ease in an aviary 3m or more high, and most of the time they will stay up high -- although they often enjoy walking on the aviary floor.
Another aspect to consider is that small aviaries and cages result in aggressive behaviour between male and female, or male and offspring, that almost never occurs in accommodation of suitable size. When someone tells me that the young must be removed from the breeding cage soon after they fledge because of the male’s aggression I always ask how big the cage is. The answer tells me why the male has not tolerated his young. It is not good for the offspring to be removed from their parents so soon due to inadequate housing.
There will also be aggressive behaviour towards the keeper, mainly because in a cage the food containers are too near the nest-box -- and the area around the nest is vigorously defended. This means that changing the food either causes stress to the birds or results in bites to the keeper.
To the person considering taking up parrot breeding, I would say halve the planned number of cages or aviaries -- and double their length. I even know of established breeders who have done this and freely admit to the benefits for the birds.
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